I do underwater video and add still photos to the video I create. When playing the video the still shots show distorted lines in any design in the picture and as it transitions to the next photo it clears up for a split second. What is causing this?

Question

The photos are clear for the firt instant the appear during palyback and for the 3 or 4 seconds they are on the screen any pattern or design in the photo, say a patterned tablecloth, the pattern goes wavy, distorted, and then at the last moment before moving on the photo goes clear and smooth. It looks like when the picture goes in the "freeze" mode it distorts and when releasing for the next photo it smooths out again. This is really messing up some very good underwater still shots and land photos. I'm using a transition between photos and not using Ken Burns effect. Could use some help on this. Thanks.

Answer 1

so. to summarize your workflwo in my own words:
you're applying 12Mpix stills to an iMovie project
(btw: what setting has the iM project…?)
iMovie doesn't do interlaced internally…
you then 'share to iDVD'
as far as we know, iM converts to some h.264 file…
iDVD has to convert that again, to finally create a standard DVD:
720x480pix, interlaced = 0.3Mpixel resolution (yes, zero.point.three )
and, you're watching via a projector - most projectors have a non-video-resolution e.g. 800x600, 1200x800:
again, scaling effects.
so, tons of scaling/resizing, tons of comversions …
a) use any graphic tool (your Mac's Preview.app?) to scale the pics BEFORE import to iMovie to your Projects resolution (1920x0180, 1280x720, 720x480); choose tiff or png as doemat, avoid jpg
=> this avoids lossy scaling effect in iM
b) if DVD is your only delivery media, set iMovie's Project preferences to your TV-Standard (PAL/NTSC)
c) from iMovie, use 'Export using Quicktime', and in its options, choose AppleIntermediateCodec as … codec
=> this exports iMovies internal timeline without lossy conversions
d) set iDVD manually to same standard as your iMproject, 25/PAL or 30/NTSC
e) stay under 60min of length to allow max. quality
f) try to find a resolution on that laptop that comes close to DVDs res; synch res of laptop with proejctor
g) consider iDVD solo to create a slideshow; avoids any lossy 'inbetween steps' due to iMovie; very limited in terms of 'creation' … creates a slideshow (with music and transitions)
h) consider to avoid the DVD process at all; export from iMovie a 'file'; use a usb-stick to transfer to playback-computer; allows HighDef! DVD is SDef only ...
to create a file whic is compatible with any computer, follow my advice here:
                 How to create a video for playback with Windows/XBox/PS3/… etc?
For maximum quality of stills, I would use iDVD only (disk, but SDef only);
or avoid disks at all, create a charming HDef iMovie project and transfer via stick